Tue May 21 - 18:20 (Warsaw)

After a full night's rest, Ricky and I woke up and got ready for the day. Gedeon went out early and bought fresh bread, meat, and produce. We had ham sandwiches with juice for breakfast. We drove to the financial district of Warsaw. Gedeon works next to the Palace of Science and Culture. The Palace was built by Stalin after "The War" (WWII). Gedeon told us that the Poles hate the building because they didn't like Stalin. This is why the Poles say the best view of the city is from the top of the Palace because you can see all of Warsaw and you don't have to look at that building.
Palace of Science and Culture:

Gedeon's friend, John, met us at Starbucks and showed us around the city while Gedeon had work. Since it was sunny and 70 degrees, he gave us a tour of the city life. We walked to Warsaw's "main street" called Nowy Swiat and got to see a church where Chopin's heart is. The story is that since Chopin died in France, the French were burrying him there, but the Poles were upset by this since Chopin was Polish. A pole managed to find his body, cut out his heart, and bring it back to Warsaw.
Old Town:

We continued on by foot, bus, and subway to Old Town, New Town, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the park by the embassy buildings, the water fountain by the river, the old train tracks which brought prisoners and people to prison or concentration camps, and lastly to Bierhalle where we ate perogies. John let us try his blood sausage, which was pretty good. After eating, John had to go to work, but we rode the tram to the financial district.
We met back up with Gedeon by the Hard Rock Cafe, which was right by his work, and drove across town to see the Palac W Wilanowie (Museum and Garden). They had beautiful gardens there along with the gorgeous palace.
Palac W Wilanowie:

Now Ricky and I are having a snack at a restaurant while Gedeon gets out of a meeting. Ricky ordered creme brûlée. I ordered a pilsner.

Throughout John's tour, he gave us a great lesson on the history of Poland. He explained that Poland developed from a Slavik people, and around 1600, Poland was a powerful nation that controlled much of Europe. During the 1700s, they started to lose power and in the 1800s they were partitioned. WWI and WWII was very tough on the Polish people because the wars destroyed the city of Warsaw and at the end of WWII, the entire city was leveled.